Numark TTUSB tonearm adjustment Options

[rocket_pc]

I have first browsed the wiki for this, though only a few minutes. My question is about adjusting the tone arm on the Numark TTUSB. Can anybody tell me where there are instructions on adjusting the counterweight on the tone arm of the Numark TTUSB and adjusting the anti-skate mechanism?

I got the turntable yesterday. The instructions in the operator's manual is insufficient, with only a few sentences on the subject that seem very ambiguous to me.

The manual says,

...there should be a feeling of weight and resistance when the head shell is raised and lowered. Begin rotating the counterweight clockwise (away from the pivot point) until the weight and resistance feeling is gone. If done properly, the tone arm will pivot with very little resistance back and forth indicating that there is exactly 0 grams of stylus pressure. With the counterweight in its new position further away from tone arm pivot point, grasp the scale ring of the counter weight and rotate it until "0" is in the vertical position. Finally, rotate the counterweight (and scale ring) counter-clockwise (towards the pivot point) until the desired amount of weight is reached. If the scale rotates 360 degrees beyond the zero point, the new scale ring reading should be added to 3.5.

I don't understand these instructions at all. I remember seeing somewhere last month, when shopping for this, mention of some website or other with instructions on adjusting the tonearm and antiskate functions.

Thank you, in advance, for your attention on this subject.

Don

This post has been edited by greynol: Dec 11 2009, 22:04

Reason for edit: Please use the default font. Placed quote in the proper container.

[Knowzy]

Reading from the front and back of the turntable:

Kenwood Automatic Turntable KD-291R

...The preamp that I bought for it:

Recoton Stereo Pre-Amplifier Model SP-2

I found the manual for the Kenwood KD-291R. Be forewarned: It's a several step process to download and you don't have to give them your e-mail address to continue.

The Kenwood does have an aluminum platter but no anti-skate.

Replacing the stylus is pretty standard advice after more than a decade or two in storage. I don't think replacing the cartridge is an option here- permanent mount.

The KD-291 uses an N-74 (or N-76) stylus, which looks to be conical. There are elliptical tip replacements for around $30.

The pre-amp was selling as recently as 2007 on Amazon for around $20.

Also up for consideration: The sound card in the "new PC with XP."

I'm starting to root for the Numark again.

Two things that hold me back from wholeheartedly siding with the Numark:

1. Numark's "GrooveTool" cartridge pre-mounted on the TTUSB has a tracking force range of 3 to 5 grams, according to the manual. I expect the Kenwood uses less tracking force. Its modern replacement cartridge is Audio-Technica's 3600, with a range of 1.5 to 2.5 grams. Then again, the AT-LP2D-USB turntable also uses the 3600 and it came in at 4.54 grams when I measured it.
2. Kenwood's aluminum platter over Numark's plastic.

Despite its limitations, I think the Numark TTUSB is the better choice for a once-through digitization. But whenever I say something so assuredly here, someone throws me a curve ball!

[cliveb]

I'm starting to root for the Numark again.

Having taken a look at the manual for your KD291R, I am inclined to agree with Knowzy - that is, if we're talking about a straight preference between the Kenwood and Numark. This particular Kenwood appears to be a cheap and inflexible turntable, with an extremely dubious-looking pickup arm. Shame - they also made some very good units, and we were all hoping you had one of those.

I'm still of the opinion that if you want to transfer hundreds of LPs, it would be worth investing in a secondhand decent turntable to start with (Rega, Dual, Project, Thorens, etc).